Site MapMOCK MATCH-UP: MLB's Top All-Stars Could Rule Pickleball Too
From Baseball Diamonds to Pickleball Courts: Great Athletes Redefined
At a glance, Pickleball seems like the domain of sunburned retirees, its appeal is widespread, well beyond AARP, extending to the Pro Sports circuit funded by the cool crowd with investors including GOATs Tom Brady, LeBron James and Patrick Mahomes and pop culture faves Brene Brown, Heidi Klum and Eva Longoria. There's more to this whimsical sport than meets the eye: it takes quick reflexes, smart positioning, and a knack for hitting a small ball with a paddle —which makes MLB's best and brightest players participating in Summer 2023 MLB All-Star Game — including Aaron Judge, Mookie Betts, Mike Trout, and Shohei Ohtani — ideal contenters to reign supreme in the baller realm of the pickle.
Aaron Judge: A Mighty Swing And Reach
Let's start with Aaron Judge: the hulking Yankee outfielder stands at a statuesque 6-foot-7, but don't let his towering height fool you — this man's got agility that could make a gymnast blush. In pickleball, Judge’s reach would his secret weapon.
But it's not just about size – it's about power, too. Judge could send that pickleball whizzing over the net with a force that'd make a nuclear physicist do a double-take. Like baseball, pickleball requires a powerful, strategic swing to send that ball over the net, and Judge has proven time and time again he has that in spades.
Mookie Betts: Dexterity And Precision
Mookie Betts, former MVP and Dodgers' prized jewel, is a magician with the bat and a ballerina in the field. Now imagine him as your pickleball partner, diving across the court, and turning would-be points for the other team into spectacular saves – he'd breathe new meaning to the term "quick on your feet." Known for his knack for perfectly placed hits on the baseball field, and he exploits those small gaps in opponents' defenses, giving them a run for their money. His athletic ability would allow him to cover the court swiftly, making the opposition wonder if they're up against a one-man army.
Mike Trout: Unparalleled Foresight And Versatility